Staying in or outside of the city?

[stripclubguy]

Based on the feedback i received below, i'm starting to think I'm going to visit montreal in favor of niagara/toroto, but where to stay. I checked most of the online discounters (hotel.com, expedia, orbits) but haven't really found a great deal (in niagara I can usually find a room for around 30 to 40 USD. And most of the montreal hotels i have found don't seem to have parking iprovided.

I'll have a car so driving isn't an issue. I don't mind being up to 15 minutes or so outside the main part of the city. Can anyone suggest a decent, cheaper priced hotel, maybe like any economy chain (super 8, econo lodge, clarion), with parking.

 

[EagerBeaver]

And most of the montreal hotels i have found don't seem to have parking iprovided.

You must be looking at dumps because all of the downtown Montreal hotels offered on Priceline at the 3 star level have underground parking (Hyatt, Delta, Holiday Inn Select, and Novotel). I have heard that a 3 star went on Priceline this week for $48(US).

 

[metoo4]

Go with PriceLine no question if you can. Often up to 40% less than market price, sometimes even more. Staying outside downtown area, you'll be stuck with commuting and, in winter, it's not funny at all...

 

[stripclubguy]

I checked out priceline, the cheapest 3 star starts at 90+ USD. For around 50 I can get the Quartier Latin Montreal Hotel, 7 saisons, Europenne or the Hotel Le Guilleret, all of which look like (and are reviewed as) one start dumps, albeit with good location.

But as stated above, I care most about parking, which all of the above seem to not offer or only offer off premises.

There's one that claims to be between Dorval Airport and Downtown Montreal. Does that sound like a good base considering i want to be visiting club cleopatra, hilltop lounge and a yet to be suggested good massage parlor?

 

[metoo4]

Go with Priceline, and use the "Name Your Own Price" option. That way you bid at a lower rate. If you are in a rush, try bidding for a 3-star at $60; you are pretty much guaranteed to get it at this time of year.

Totally agree.

ALWAYS use "name your own price" on priceline or it can actually be more expensive than regular price.

 

[stripclubguy]

Yeah, i figured that's what the poster above ment when he suggested priceline. But will they let you specify that i'm only interested in a hotel with parking included in the room rate? Because as i understand it, once your bid is accepted, you're locked in.

Also, do the lots around downtown that charge about 7 dollars let you park and repark through out the day, or are you limited to just one park per fee?

Also, if i put down one adult but end up bringing a friend, does the hotel usually charge an extra fee? do they usuallu scritinize who's coming and who's going?

I kind of prefer motels where you can drive right up to your door, does anybody know of a good one of these? All i'm getting in my search results are hotels.

Thanks.

 

[metoo4]

To my knowledge, all downtown hotels consider parking as extra. Forget $7 at hotels or exterior lots, think more of minimum $10/day for lots and $20/day in hotels. This is taxable while in hotel. Most hotel, if not all, will give you unlimited in/out privileges. Forget in/out in lots.

Lots are usually jam-packed and risky for your bumpers/fenders/doors health, no matter if valet or not.

Some have valet mandatory (included in parking price) and won't allow you to park yourself.

Some will charge extra for valet (optional higher rate) and will let you park yourself for a lower rate.

Some don't have valet at all.

Some hotels give you the choice of valet, no valet or parking at a lower rate with no in/out privileges whatsoever (Hyatt comes to mind, parking in different lot. Lower rate will be payable in parking facility and won't show on your hotel folio.)

In downtown or within a few miles radius, forget about Motels. Simply no space for them!

When going PriceLine, parking is always on a different folio at the hotel, same as room service, phone, pay tv and such.

At most places, again if not all, you have to present a credit card when you check-in, even if you booked PriceLine or they won't let you in. If not, be ready for a BIG cash deposit...

Hotels usually don't care about a second person it the room. Most will cringe at 3 and charge extra. This doesn't apply to "visiting friends" who stay just a few hours...